The league table suggested that this should have been a straightforward game for Heathfield, near the top of the Counties 1 Kent table against relegation-threatened Cranbrook. In the event both sides scored five tries and the respective kicking performances were finally decisive.
Before the game it was clear that the home side and supporters were well up for the contest as they are struggling for any points to avoid relegation. After a good win away in their previous game and with the same starting 15 selected, it was no surprise that they started strongly with two tries in the first fifteen minutes.
Playing down the slight slope and towards the lively home support, good handling and lines of running duly rewarded the home side. However both tries were well away from the posts and the gusty crosswind meant that both conversions were missed.
Heathfield have dealt with bigger early deficiencies so there no particular concern as they worked their way back into the game. With the variable breeze slightly in their favour they gradually worked their way into the home 22. Concerted pressure into the left hand corner ended with a pile of bodies over the home try line but Craig Martin was adjudged to have been held up. However more pressure produced a penalty which was tapped and Jasper Folkes would not be denied from short range. Toby Simpson converted impressively.
Heathfield were now starting to play some decent rugby, using the breeze rather better than the home side did subsequently in the second half. The next score originated from some skilful work by Fergus Lamb on the left wing including a neat chip ahead which produced a good position in the left hand corner. A penalty was then tapped and the ball was soon moved into midfield where Jay Massey-Taylor worked his way over. Simpson duly converted.
With just over ten minutes left in the half Cranbrook replied with a try from short range. Although they had now scored three tries to Heathfield’s two another missed conversion mean that they only led 15-14. This was almost immediately reversed by a Simpson penalty to give Heathfield the lead at 15-17.
At this point the referee felt it necessary to warn both captains about tackle height. It should be noted that this was a well-contested match without any stupidity that reflected well on all concerned.
In the last minutes of the half more Heathfield pressure into the left hand corner resulted in a tapped penalty and soon Massey-Taylor stepped his way over for his second on the day. Simpson converted, natch.
The set piece was even. There were some moans about not straight at the lineout but on a windy day throwing in was not easy. Heathfield were afterwards particularly pleased with the front row contribution on the day. George Hayter is preferably a hooker, Tom Cornwall is probably more effective as a flanker and Martin is no youngster – but as a unit they more than held their own against a strong home front row.
Cranbrook started the second half strongly as outside centre Ellis Baldry made yet another fine break which was finished off by Hamish Gillanders. The successful conversion cut the visitors lead to two points at 22-24.
Almost immediately Heathfield replied as Massey-Taylor scored his third, and probably best, try of the day as he stepped and worked his way over on the left hand side.
But then Cranbrook struck back with a fine set piece move at the lineout for a try in the left hand corner so we were again back to a two point game at 27-29 with about 25 minutes remaining.
Heathfield probably had the best of the rest of the game. A strong attack into the right hand corner was adjudged to have been held up – although the referee took a long time to assess the situation and the current leading Heathfield try scorer may have been disappointed in the decision.
However with fifteen minutes remaining Cornwall dived over from short range in the right hand corner and the Simpson conversion (27-36) meant that Cranbrook needed two scores to achieve what looked an increasingly unlikely result.
Another handy Heathfield attack into the left hand corner looked almost certain to produce a try but somehow the ball was knocked forward over the try line. The game was ended soon afterwards by a Heathfield penalty. I didn’t think it went over but the RFU results service says it did with the final score as above.
The vagaries of the league system mean that while Cranbrook are not yet definitely destined for relegation they are not in a good place and are dependent on results elsewhere. Heathfield have always enjoyed, and occasionally suffered, good contests between the two clubs as evidenced by the significant number of former Heathfield players present at the excellent pre-match lunch today.
Next week Heathfield entertain another near (if not dearest) neighbour Crowborough who are on a run of good results including a comfortable win over Beccehamians today so Heathfield will need to be more accurate in defence than was shown today, (18 Apr 3.00)